Beauty and the Dogs

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8 October

An innocent night out clubbing with her friends descends into a hellish ordeal for 21-year-old Mariam (Mariam Al Ferjani) in the provocative Beauty and The Dogs. Focusing on the aftermath of her rape by two policemen, the film unflinchingly depicts the Kafkaesque bureaucracy Mariam is subjected to over the course of one long dark night. The directors present her experiences at the hands of shockingly indifferent doctors, policemen and administrators though a series of long, unbroken shots, displaying great technical virtuosity, whilst lending the material an appropriate air of in-the-moment urgency.

Ali, The Goat and Ibrahim

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8 October

Ali is in love with a (possibly psychic) goat, called Nada. Ibrahim works at a recording studio and suffers from terrifying voices in his head. Ali yields to his mother’s wish that he visit a healer’s clinic where he meets Ibrahim; the healer diagnoses both as ‘cursed’ and prescribes a solution to break the spell: they must throw three stones into Egypt’s three water bodies. Ali, Ibrahim and Nada head off on a picaresque adventure that takes them to the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Nile in this touching tale of friendship, reconciliation and self-discovery.

Ymma (Mother)

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8 October

A charming romantic road movie by Rachid El Ouali, this stylish film follows the journey of a man who travels from Morocco to Corsica for love.

Screened in association with the Chester Beatty Library.
Free, no booking required.

Tramontane

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7 October

The life of young blind Lebanese musician Rabih (real life musician Barakat Jabbour) is thrown into uncertainty when he applies for a passport to go on a European tour with his band; doubt is cast upon the authenticity of his documentation leading the confused and frustrated Rabih on a quest into rural Lebanon to uncover the true nature of his identity. Through the poetic figure of a rootless blind musician, director Boulghourjian subtly reflects on the collective disorientation and amnesia of a nation damaged by years of conflict and unrest.

Gaza Surf Club

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7 October

Despite the harsh conditions endured by the population of Gaza, everyday life continues. As a result of the restrictions placed upon them, the younger generation must be inventive in finding physical outlets and creating entertainment. For one small group, including 15-year-old Sabah, who learned the sport as a girl, but is now no longer allowed to practice in public, relief comes from surfing on the Mediterranean, on surfboards gathered with great difficulty. Although the film celebrates this group, the backdrop against which it is set infuses it with an undeniable melancholy.

Solitaire

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6 October

The Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner template works to winning effect in Sophie Boutros’ comedy-drama that casts a shrewd eye over the tensions between Syria and Lebanon. Therese, the wife of the mayor of a Lebanese village is preparing to meet her daughter’s suitor and family, who are, unbeknownst to Theresa, Syrian. Therese still mourns for her brother who was killed in a Syrian bombing some twenty years ago and been outspoken in her prejudice towards the neighbouring country ever since. Her prejudices will, however, be confronted over an exceedingly uncomfortable dinner party.

Adieu Mères (Goodbye Mothers)

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6 October

Set in 1960s Casablanca, this tragic and poignant tale depicts the rise in tensions between the city’s Jewish and Muslim communities and divisions between families, relationships and friends. A thought-provoking and captivating drama, starring Rachid El Ouali.

Screened in association with the Chester Beatty Library.
Free, no booking required.